Monday, August 7, 2017

When we’re desperately longing for a sense of worth,
dignity, and value, we can easily fall into idolatry. One of the ways this
happens is when “standards” play the primary role in our lives. We either applaud
ourselves if we meet the standards we set, or disregard ourselves when we fail
to measure up. Keeping to standards of rationality, being understood, looking a
certain way, exercise, or diet become the center of our lives. Yet, such
primacy demands far too much space within us and in turn results in our being
inhospitable to ourselves. If nothing else can get in or through that is more
essential, then our standards become idols. But when it comes to worth, value,
and dignity, these find their ground in God and being, and thus are realities
that are already there, which can’t be earned by doing. Standards we set belong
to another category, and cannot give us what we already have. On this basis, recognizing
the “is-ness” of our worth, value, and dignity, we should “make room” for and
show ourselves hospitality, so that a real and appropriate love of self can be
an actuality.